COUNTY BUDGET $300K MORE THAN LAST YEAR AT $6.6 MILLION

LOUISA, KY.  — Yesterday’s Lawrence County Fiscal Court meeting was business as usual for the most part although the court passed the first reading of it’s ’19-20 budget which totals $6,610,659, nearly $300,000 more than the previous fiscal year according to figures in Treasurer Sabrina Cantrell’s office.

There was no public discussion about the budget and it passed 5-0 with all voting ‘yes’ on motion by Rick Blackburn and second by Mike Halcomb.

The FY 18-19 Estimated Budget $5,767,648.00, with added amendments #s 1-5 of $1,918,221.96 FY operating budget so far for FY 2018-19 is at $6,324,232.21.

FY 19-20 Estimated Budget $6,610,659.00, she said.

After dispensing of the usual agenda items, the court:

• Approved the health care package for employees and office holders as the same as the previous year on motion by David Pinson and second by Mike Halcomb.
• Deputy judge Vince Doty told the court he is working on a grant that will pay at least half the cost of playground renovation at the county park at Yatesville. He said he is also applying for funding for handicapped playground equipment for the area.The court tabled action on a pending grant application.
• Judge Phillip Carter advised the court he is negotiating for the purchase of seven acres of property that he referred to as “behind the Pamida Building” for future development, specifically for the expansion of County fair activities. “The area where they have the fair is getting smaller every year, Carter quipped. “The seven acres right here in town would be just right to expand it.” The court took no action.
• The court authorized the clerk to advertise for bids on gravel, blacktop, pipe, fuel, etc. Vote was unanimous.
• Approved amendments to policy and procedures that gives all employees a certain number of sick days depending on their time of employment. Currently, the employee could build the days up so much that when he/she takes them at one time it puts the county in a bind. With the new vote Tuesday, employees are entitled to the sick days the same as before but they must take them or be paid for them at the end of each year.

During public comments a group from Rt. 32 near the county garage came to protest a change in the road pattern near the garage. One citizen, Randy lawson, said he has a 35 ft trailer that cannot make the turn to his property the way the county has it laid out now. Others, including Dan Estepp and Nelson and Liz Kelly also expressed concern about the change.

“It was a dangerous situation, ” Carter said. “I saw myself three near accidents in that area and we needed to do something to make the traffic flow easier.’

Carter told the group that the court will keep a close eye on how the situation unfolds in coming weeks to see what the remedy is.